​Six years ago, David Selves and his friend Harold Goodwin, a professor of sustainable tourism, had lunch together in which they sampled pies for David’s award winning pub, the Phoenix Tavern in Faversham. There were 8 pies to sample, so they set off to pace themselves starting at noon. After deciding that pies should be washed down, they treated themselves to the Timothy Taylor Landlord Ale (with Harold being President of the Timothy Taylor Appreciation Society, this has become a popular beverage!).The pies went down well, and had spent years on sale in the pub until David decided to sell. Just after 6 o’clock, a plan had been hatched to form the Faversham food festival – by which time, David’s wife Tracy had already arrived at the pub to ask if he wanted supper!

The original one-day events, which included Town Mayors being tickled with asparagus and slapped with fish, had soon grown to a full two-and-a-half day event with masses of exhibitors and stalls.

As always, last Friday night was Fish Night on Town Quay, which is adjacent to the 600 year old former town warehouse – now home to local Sea Cadets T S Hazzard. Louise from Hollowshore Fisheries had a great success with the local fishing boat, after plying up the Creek for the annual landing of fish followed by gutting displays, as well as the sale of fresh fish and a fish BBQ and eating and drinking from the stalls – with most stalls selling out.

Saturday saw a new development with a Medieval Encampment on the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School playing fields, which featured the Hartley Company who gave medieval cooking displays and archery exhibitions. St Mary’s Church also featured a fascinating pie display. Meanwhile, stall holders plied their food and drinks and families enjoyed picnics. The Ale Trail – in which 8 pubs competed to win the best beer prize, as well as the Abbey Physic Community Garden – started at noon.

​On Saturday evening, David hosted the annual Faversham Food Hero Awards which, this year, saw the victory of Peter Vinson from the local strawberry specialists Edward Vinson - who were founded in the 19th century. The award was presented by local MP Helen Whately. Faversham Life also celebrated its second birthday on Sunday, and so the large crowd sang happy birthday to them.

On Sunday, the town was full of food and drinks stalls, with many selling out. Punch and Judy, Devilstick Pete, a juggler and medieval cooking also took place outside the Alexander Centre, which was home to local gin distillers and microbreweries peddling their wares. Many local events occurred here, such as the start of the Sausage Trail and the Oyster Cooking Competition. Again, David was MC for the prize giving and commenting on the oyster cooking display which was won by the Hartley Company with a cooked oyster, cooked in its shell on hot logs, and a cheese topping. Sympathy was given to the three judges who each had to taste and eat 12 oysters in ten minutes!

In the Sausage Trail, Macknade Butchers were the winners in the eyes (and mouths!) of the public, but the experts’ choice was won by Scott Pendry, who had been David and Tracy’s Head Chef at the Red Sails Restaurant – until they left at the end of July before moving on to a new job in October.